Years ago, Twitter confused me. I wondered who could express a complete thought in 140 characters, or less.
I’m programmed to think more is better. Often clients ask me to thrill with details and engaging examples via long-form content that dives deep into a topic.
As I started to understand hashtags and tagging other users on Twitter, I admired the task of being short, quippy.
Today, I adore Twitter. I love making an impact with words, quick!
Brevity is hard.
I almost always exceed the recommended word count in a first draft.
Then, I edit.
Over the years I’ve become strict, removing more of the verbal pauses in my writing than ever before. Yes, I’m a comma-lover. Long, winding sentences that dance through a piece help tie together the short, pointed thoughts, right? I think so!
But, we could all tighten up our words just a bit.
Grab the red pen, now.
Every time I read the final cut of an article I’ve written, I realize that I don’t miss the hundreds of words that previously loitered the text.
- Edit for clarity. Are you making the same point multiple times, but just saying it in different ways? I have a habit of doing this when I want to drive a point home, but it’s not necessary. Instead, work with the idea until it’s clear and relatable, then move on.
- Chop extraneous words. When I’m asked to write in a conversational tone, I start many sentences with “So,”, “Then,” and other lead-in words that represent how I speak. A few of these are fine to meet a tone requirement, but often half or more of these pauses can be deleted.
- Tighten meandering sentences. Using passive voice can instantly confuse or lose readers. Be in the moment. Write actively, with the present tense, whenever possible. I even have one marketing client who highlights passive voice in rough drafts, prompting me to re-work lingering past-tense language.
- Remove entire sections. After a draft is complete, read the piece as a whole. Is there a paragraph or two that seems out of place? Could they become the base for a new article? I like to edit my posts (and generate new ideas!) by honing the core topic.
Editing can be painful, but is a necessary part of the writing process. Think of it like getting a haircut. You were happy enough with your existing ‘do, but feel better when the ragged edges disappear and a polished look emerges.
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Note: This post was last updated on April 9, 2024.
